D&D 5E Campaigning for a Better Sword Coast

Hey guys!

I recently posted my first message on here, which was a brief (and I know that some of you may be asking, "that was brief?!?") synopsis of my initial introduction into D&D back when I was 8 and was wondering where the PHB would fit into my Nintendo so that I could play it! My brothers were 9 and 10 years older than me respectively and so, Brian (the oldest and much nicer of the two) handed me Homeland by R.A. Salvatore!!

That moment changed my life forever and completely!

I just took the party that I will tell you more about below through the Starter Set for 5th Edition.

I'm currently getting ready to take a party: A Half-Elven Ranger named Verric, a Half-Orc Barbarian named Drakkon, a Wood Elf Druid named Lingel, a Dwarven Bard/Cleric named Jarlvox, a Wood Elf Monk named Avihilun Moonflower...which will be the main band members. We have some reserve members in case of scheduling issues, a Halfling Rogue named Tha'Laxi, a Tiefling Rogue with such an Infernal name, mortals may not read it at this time!, a mute Dwarven cleric named Bob (he is Jarlvox's clan-brother and best friend, but we call Jarlvox J for short and Bob communicates through his heterosexual life-mate!) An undisclosed character that my players are currently unaware of is also available to be played by any guests that may happen to just be joining in for just one session or a few...she is a Drow Paladin named Nadra'hazeen!!: into the second leg of my campaign tentatively titled "The Redemption of Bregan D'Aerthe".

Anyone familiar with R.A. Salvatore's novels and brilliant story arcs regarding the Underdark, the Drow and The Companions of the Hall will notice several familiar words there. I do not plan on profiting from the adventures or stealing any of Mr. Salvatore's work or characters. Any characters he has created will be strictly NPC's or played by myself if that need arises. I simply wanted to introduce my gaming group (none of whom have read any of his works regarding Drizzt and company) to him, The Companions of the Hall, Menzoberranzan and the Sword Coast as he has crafted it. I have certain ideas and certain ways I want the story to head in theory, but this thread is being put out there for any and all suggestions on what I could/should/have to do with the campaign.

I will say this...Bregan D'Aerthe, Jarlaxle Baenre and Kimmuriel Oblodra are all going to be pivotal players throughout (which means a lot of trickery, misdirection, political intrigue and a fairly good working knowledge of Luskan, The Hosttower of the Arcane--including the wizards that aided in the "rebuilding" efforts: Catti-Brie, Penelope and Kipper Harpell, Grompf Baenre, the copper dragon sisters, etc.--Beniago, aka, High Captain Kurth is a key player. The Companions of the Hall will not immediately be involved simply because of the overwhelming amount of power that would be available.

The party will be approached by Beniago, on behalf of Jarlaxle and questioned heavily regarding a dark elf wizard seizing a seemingly useless mine of no gain to the Underdark. I have already decided that ties will be linked to Vaasa and Thay. Szass Tam has history with the powerful Companions of the Hall (via Drizzt and Dahlia Sin'felle) and Szass Tam may have given up his hold on Neverwinter and the Sword Coast briefly, but his interest will now be renewed 100 fold given the return of many dead heroes, one in particular: Catti-brie, who wields a Robe of the Archmagi, a Staff of the Magi unique in the history of the Weave due to it's additional connection to the fire primordial of Gauntlgrym.

I know that I have many threads opened here, but that is why I'm requesting help. Szass Tam and the Red Wizards of Thay (always excellent choices for powerful enemies, more-so when the Hosttower of the Arcane is returned to its full and former glory and headed by one of the most powerful wizards to walk the world in many thousands of years. Halaster has been too quiet lately as well, scaring the Lords of Waterdeep. Each member of the party has personal quests that will be addressed also. I am almost certain that the Tarrasque will be mentioned, but I''m trying to avoid that direction.

I have put a lot out there, guys...and this was just me brainstorming off the cuff. Things that do NEED to be in there...
The Companions of the Hall, Bregan D'Aerthe, Artemis Entreri and Dahlia, Luskan and the entire Sword Coast, The Ivy Mansion and Drizzt and Catti-Brie's ongoing quest with the Bidderdoos, Szass Tam and Thay, the remnants of Shade Enclave, Gauntlgrym and the Dwarfholds of the North, Grompf Baenre, the politics of Luskan-Waterdeep-Neverwinter-Amn-Calimport-Chult, etc., the Drow Paladin's backstory, the continuation of the demonic infestation in the Underdark and the chaos of Menzoberranzan....and much more.

I gave everybody a lot to work with because I would love to hear a lot of feedback!!! I appreciate any time any of you have taken to read this and much more if you give me some help with this!! Thank you all!!

Avihilun Moonflower--Monk of the Way of the Shadow

Make the Sword Coast Great Again!

Btw...I know that it seems that I'm basically using all of the NPC's from the books as "crutches" and all, but, it is my strong belief that you cannot have a story about the Sword Coast or Faerun without all of these people/creatures. The party is center stage for sure. I just hope that everyone understood that!! Thanks again! As soon as I can put up the poll questions for this post after work tonight....I will. I'm very pleased with the feedback so far guys!! Thank you for welcoming me so quickly and warmly!

Was there a question or two in there somewhere? I'm struggling to see what you're looking for... general feedback on your idea, which seems to be moving your players from the Starter Set for 5th Edition i.e. Lost Mines of Phandelver, to what sounds like a huge, sprawling home-brew tour of all the "cool NPC's" and locations you can think of from R.A. Salvatore's novels? Sounds like a big risk to me, where's the continuity from what's gone on before? What's the PC's motivations going to revolve around? And most importantly for me, how can you avoid the problem of the players feeling like you're just moving them around like pawns, while you run all the powerful and important characters, especially given they will be what, 6th level?

Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of the Realms, one of the reasons being things like this where Elminster or whoever is so powerful and present that the PC's live in their shadow. But I have just started running my first ever campaign set there, my own version of Storm King's Thunder. You certainly CAN have a story about the Sword Coast without all of these people/creatures popping up all the time, you just have to keep the "scale and scope" of your adventures to within certain bounds that are appropriate for the PC's level, and put your own spin on a Setting which is, unfortunately, so detailed if you look closely enough that you have to work to find some gaps to call your own.

You may want to check with your group before creating the whole ''Best of the Sword Coast Nostalgia'' thing. They havent read the novels, so its a long shot to assume they'll care for those ''cool npc'' you've created, even more if the player are just suposed to work with them. What if your players want to kill Catti-Brie?

Also, I understand that you've created the PC and your players just fill the roster? They have no choices in how to interact with your game? You even created a ''main character'', that's dangerous for a democratic game like D&D. For now its more of a ''hey guys, lets play the novel I wrote'' more than a D&D game where you invited your friends to play a campaign with heroes they'll care about and a world where they can make choices and have impact.

I you really wanted to make this game work, I'd take one of the sandbox adventure already created (a.k.a Storm King's Thunder) which contain like 100 locations to visit. You could then add your VIP cameos in some of those villages to replace the questgiver in that village and have them do side-trecks with the NPC while solving the rest of the campaign not focused on the non-players characters.

Keep on the good work.

OP:
You need to thin down that huge ball of yarn and knotted plot threads. Pick something an L5 group can handle and send them off. The NPCs (especially the very powerful ones) should show up only as rumors and hints and gossip.

You might want to look over the 4e Neverwinter Campaign Book, it's near Phandelver and there are things for Heroes to do even after the Sundering. When the PCs have done something noteworthy, the NPCs you mention start to see them as 'somebody out of the ordinary, above the common crowd' and want to interact with them. (Jaxlarle would be the best door-opener, I think.)

You need to remember one thing as you begin this game. The players are the heroes here and the story is about them. The issue I see with DMs who get wrapped into presenting their favorite fictional elements into a game is that their favorite characters tend to outshine the PCs both in capability, screen time and plot importance. Beware this trap! Your players need to be the focus of the game or they will tire of being puppets in a story you've designed to satisfy yourself and not them. Good luck!